“I should have been further along by now,” Ever catch yourself thinking that?
There’s a subtle but relentless pressure we all feel… a timeline silently ticking in the background of our lives. By [this age], we’re supposed to have achieved this. By [that age], we’re expected to have done that.
It’s as though we’ve been handed us a checklist of expectations and accomplishments early on that we’re supposed to achieve, and when our reality doesn’t align with it, the guilt, shame, or frustration can be overwhelming. I’ve fallen into that trap so many times, myself, feeling that I wasn’t where I needed or wanted to be at various points in my life and career. Have you, too?
But the truth is that That ideal timeline isn’t real.
The idea that you’re “behind” is just a story. It’s a story rooted in comparison, external expectations, and an outdated definition of success. It has nothing to do with your unique journey, your inner wisdom, or the divine timing of your life.
Life can often hand you unexpected, and sometimes, unwanted or unwelcomed experiences. A changing relationship, sudden health challenges, or financial hardship can significantly delay or alter your intended course.
But what if the path you’re on is exactly the one you’re meant to be traveling? What if everything is unfolding exactly as it needs to for your best and highest good? What if there is something even better than you could have imagined at the end of the path you’ve been on?
If you gave yourself permission to rewrite your story – on your terms – and let go of that rigid timeline, it would create space. Space to dream differently, to rediscover what success means for you, and to align your actions with your heart (not someone else’s expectations).
When you stop chasing what you think you’re supposed to do, you begin to connect with what you’re truly called to do.
This is your life.
Not a checklist.
Not a competition.
And the best part is that it’s not too late to shift.
We’re approaching the end of the year, which is a natural moment to reflect. Think about all the energy you’ve spent striving to meet a timeline that either wasn’t yours to begin with or that is no longer your current path and timeline. Imagine what could be possible if, instead, you embraced where you are right now and trusted yourself to take the next step forward.
You don’t need to wait until January to realign. The decision to let go of that “perfect timeline” can happen today.
Trust your inner wisdom. Your journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
You’re exactly where you need to be to begin.
Much love,
Krysti
